Long distance calling

Malcom Reynolds is sitting at the dining table in the
Firefly class freighter’s dining area/galley. It is a comfortable place with
worn, lived-in appliances, large table, and mis-matched but comfortable chairs.
For a brief time, activity within the ship is living up to its name – Serenity.
He has his pistol out of his holster and is using saddlesoap to clean the
holster. He’s immersed himself in comfortable things, the warm feel of leather,
the sharp tang of saddlesoap and gun oil. Wash’s
shouted “Mal” startles him and he spills the soapy water in his lap.

“Mi Tian Gohn! What?” He grabs a couple of rags nearby to
use as towels. Wash is his pilot,
and spends most of the time on Serenity’s bridge.

“Mal, you’ve got a wave from Mr. Universe.” The voice floats
down from the short passage way leading to the bridge.

“D'un yi shia.” Mal grabs rags to wipe futilely at the
spreading stain on his lap, and to keep
any more water running off the table and onto either his pants or the deck.
“What does he want?”

“He says it’s private, Mal. You wanna take it up here, or in
your quarters?”

Mal throws the sodden rags at the offending puddle on the
table and stands. He moves the holster and pistol to a dry spot on the table
before heading toward Serenity’s bridge to find Wash
and Zoe huddled at the pilot’s station. Wash
and Zoe are a study in opposites. Wash
is blond haired, blue eyed, short, stocky, and very laid back. Zoe is dark -
dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. She radiates controlled power. They are
living proof that opposites attract as they are husband and wife. Zoe takes one
look at Mal’s sodden pants and her smiling face goes blank, except for the
mischief in her laughing eyes.

“You didn’t do that when in battle, Sir.”

Mal looks perplexed. Zoe had been his non-commissioned
officer during what the winners called the Unification War. “What?” Realization
dawns. “Oh … I was just cleaning my pistol and holster when Wash
called. I – uh – spilled the soap.” He points both hands toward the dining
area. “There’s a big mess down there.”

Zoe gives one brief nod. “I see, Sir. Anything you say,
Sir.”

“No, really. I spilled the soap when I stood up.”

Zoe starts to edge around Mal toward the door. “I’ll take
care of it, Sir. Why don’t you see what Mr. Universe wants.” Her full, red lips
flash a quick grin at Wash’s
smiling face and ducks through the hatch. She’s halfway down the corridor when
they hear a muffled, unladylike snigger.

Mal glares at Wash
who stops smiling and reaches for the com. “He’s using a really low band of the
TeleFonix, Sir.” Wash uses a lot
of 'Sirs' when he talks to Serenity's Captain. It's hard to tell if it is
respectful or sarcastic.

Mal positions himself so that whoever is watching on the
screen can’t see his soaked pants. “Go ahead.”

Wash flips
switches and the young geek who calls himself Mr. Universe comes on, surrounded
by his usual army of panels, switches, blinking lights, and monitors. He smiles
when he sees Mal.

“Hey, Mal. How ya doin’?”

“We made profit on the last job, we’re free in space, and
the Alliance doesn’t know where we
are. Until a few minutes ago you could call it a good day. Now I get a call
from you I wasn’t expectin’. Seems you might have something worthy?”

“Hey, Mal, you know. Mr. Universe rides the waves.” His
hands wave expansively. “Sees all, knows all,” brings thumb and forefinger of
his left hand to within an inch apart, and his voice drops to a whisper, “tells
little.”

“I expect that should be the way of it.” Mal’s patience
seems strained, but he knows that he has to let Mr. Universe’s spiel run its
course.

“Oh yeah. But I got this interesting little tidbit that I
thought you’d want to hear. Or at least, some of your passengers.”

“I be listenin.”

“Seems a wealthy daddy did some investing on Newhall. Now
that he’s dead, passengers of yours that it is better to leave unnamed stand to
inherit. There’s an Advocate looking for them and wants to settle up. I’ve
ported the name and address over to you. Interested parties have no idea that I
have the information or that I passed it on. If you know what I mean.”

Mal nodded. “I copy. I’ll keep that under advisement. I’m
obliged.”

“No problem. Just drop in the next time you come by. You
always have interesting stuff.”

The screen went blank. Wash
looked puzzled.

“What was that about?” There was never any question that Wash
would eavesdrop on a supposedly private conversation.

“I surely don’t know if you don’t have wealthy parents.”

“Bai Lih Mohn,
Mal.”

Mal nodded. “I
sorta calculated that. I’ll get the others together. Why’n’t you set a course
for Newhall. Might be some money in this.”

Mal reaches for the overhead com mike, flips a switch and
keys the mike. “This is your Captain speaking. Would everyone please report to
the lounge? I’ll be there shortly. Captain Out.” He heads for his quarters to
change pants.

“I thought I said everyone should report to the lounge. That
would include your sister, although I ain’t sayin’ she probably already knows
what I want. It’d still be good for her to be here.”

Simon rubs his chin. “Today hasn’t been one of her better
days, Captain. She’s … sleeping.”
Everyone in the lounge knew that once again, Simon had had to drug his erratic
sister to keep her from hurting someone, possibly herself. “I don’t advise
waking her, but if you think it is important …” His cultured voice, and word
choice reinforce the perception of breeding and wealth.

Mal considers for a moment. “Like as not, it won’t matter.”

Simon nods gratefully and the whole group looks at Mal
expectantly. Zoe pointedly looks at his pants, then to his face, her expression
carefully blank.

Mal takes a deep breath. “I got a whole lot of
mysteriousness here, and I don’t generally like mysteriousness, except this
could lead to some profit.”

He pauses to order his thoughts and Jayne interjects.
“Profit’s good. I like profit.” Jayne is large, dark haired, scruffy, and
convinced he could do a better job as leader than Mal. He just isn’t ready to
challenge him openly. Says he’s just waiting for the money to be good enough.

Mal looks annoyed. “I just got a wave from Mr. Universe. He
passed on a message that someone on board Serenity has wealthy parents that
have passed away and left that someone a passel of money. It’s on Newhall. I
know who to call, but not who should be doin’ the callin.”

Shepard Book shook his head at Mal’s inquiring gaze. “My parents
have been gone for many years. They would have had nothing on Newhall.” Mal
looks a moment longer at the Shepard. He wonders for the hundredth time how
that mahogany face could look so open and friendly and at the same time,
conceal so many secrets.

Mal shifted his gaze to the most beautiful woman he has ever
seen - Inara. “Ambassador? I figure your parents would have plenty to send you
to school, or maybe a rich client looked upon you in a fatherly way, while
dealing with you manfully?”

Inara stiffened. She is a well-schooled registered
Companion. She leases one of Serenity’s two shuttles to meet with clients as
Serenity wanders about the ‘Verse. She and Mal are constantly at odds about her
profession, but both seem unable to terminate their platonic contract. It
doesn’t help Mal that her professional mode of dressing accentuates her
inherent sexuality. “Neither my parents, nor my clients are any of your
business. However, any Advocate would contact me directly. As the only
legitimate business person on this ship, I’m posted on the Cortex.”

Mal shrugged and looked doubtfully at Kaylee. Kaylee is his
mechanic. She seems way too young for her job and responsibility, but her
natural gift for engines has won her a place on Serenity’s crew. Where Inara is
a carefully nurtured beauty, Kaylee is naturally cute. Where Inara is poised,
Kaylee is open and exuberant. She gave Mal a big, cheerful smile. “My parents
are farmers. They don’t invest, especially on Newhall.” She pauses, looking as
Simon. “I’ll bet it’s your parents. You never talk about them.”

Simon looks distinctly uncomfortable. He scratches his upper
lip. “No I don’t. River doesn’t know our parents are dead.. I haven’t told her,
yet, that they died in an accident while she was away in school. I spent our
inheritance getting her out, so there isn’t much left. I’ve still got her cryo
unit, which is worth a good bit. I’ve been thinking about selling it. But, I
thought I’d exhausted all our other resources. It’s possible, I suppose, that
Father may have had investments on Newhall, but I don’t know.”

Book looks from Simon to Mal, his face pensive. “It occurs
to me that we could be facing a trap.”

Mal nods. “Pears to me that’s a possible thing. Could be
worrisome.”

“I-I-I don’t want to risk anything, or anyone. It’s just
money.”

Mal looks at Simon. “Could be you’re the only one on this
ship could say that. I’m thinkin’ we could all use some of that money and you’d
still have enough to buy ID’s for you an’ your sister and a place to hide on
one of the better rim worlds. That money could buy you some freedom.”

“Shiny!” Kaylee reaches over to Simon. “You could have your
own place. You could have the kind of life you miss.”

Simon looks scornful. “I doubt that I would find the kind of
world I had on some Godforsaken Rim world. I’d probably end up a dirt farmer.”

Kaylee instantly bridles. “My parents are dirt farmers. They
ain’t got much, but they’ve got respect. At least they aren’t constantly
looking over their shoulders.” Kaylee gets up to leave the room. A muttered “Hwoon
dahn! Da Chung Wu Dahn.” hangs in the air behind her.

Book attempts to get his eyebrows under control. Jayne grins
hugely. Inara fixes Simon with a look of cool appraisal. She stands to leave.

lowevickieann:
So far I really like this book. The feelings are very real. I want Sadie gone before she harms the pack. I love the whole story. Can't wait to read the rest.I love the way Jake is all Alpha and then is able to be kind of dorky for Avery. Liam and David and everyone have great storylines. The plot...

Michela Tran:
This story is great so far, I hope the author will continue it. The main characters have so much life and the descriptions of their back stories really give you a connection. The main conflict with Jesus actually gave the beginning a good amount of suspense... Or maybe it was just me. Keep writi...

TheDevilWorshipsMe:
Let's just say Holy Shit. l hate him I do, yet I still love him and this messed with my emotions. I hope there is a sequel in the future. It will keep you craving for more and staying up late becomes a habit

Jojo Sproul:
This story reminds me in some ways of Queen Victoria and her Consort, Prince Albert..She loved him and though they had a short marriage and he died early, Queen Victoria was able to go on ruling after his death for over fifty years. Sad though that the Heroine, Charlotte did not get a child with...

apalmer3:
This book seems pretty well thought out. However, it is plagued with grammar mistakes and misspellings. A bit of proofreading before releasing a chapter would make the reading experience better.

Renee Villamorel:
Very good plot. Can't stop myself from reading the story. Minor spelling issues. No biggie. I really really like how the author explained the essence of death in our life. So, I hope the author continues to be passionate in writing this story. You have my congratulations!

ofilichidi:
Simply amazing. Your book brought to mind the difference between races and individuals from different continents. The characters kept me intrigued and on my toes. It's a blend of adventure and thriller. I kept thinking what next will Starlyn do. Thumps up.

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